Need some help with deciding (kinda long)

[VC15]

This is my first time buying a laptop and I need some help. I live in Canada and I just came across this in the clearance section on the Canadian site (specs are linked to the US site for some reason but I'm assuming I would get the same specs in Canada):

T40p 2373G1U
P M 1.6GHz
512MB RAM (pc2100 266 1 sodimm)
40GB 5400rpm HDD
14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD
64MB ATI Fire GL 9000
16x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD(slim)
Bluetooth/Modem(CDC)
1Gb Ethernet(LOM), 802.11a/b Wireless(MPCI), Secure Chip(TCPA), 9 cell battery
3 year warranty Customer Carry-in Repair or ThinkPad EasyServ
$3,287.80 Canadian with shipping and taxes and as of now 8 left.


But I have been looking at this one too which is one of those online bundle deals
T41 2378DMU
P M 1.4GHz
512MB RAM (pc2700 333 2 sodimm)
30GB 4200rpm HDD
14.1 XGA TFT LCD
32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
16x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD(slim)
gigabit Ethernet (10Mbps, 100Mbps, 100)
802.11a/b Wireless
6 cell battery I believe
leather carrying case
this however comes with a 3 year return to depot thinkpad protection plan
$2,873.85 Canadian with shipping and taxes


I'm a Software Engineering student so there will be a lot of coding. Also I will probably be dual booting so the 30 gigs on the T41 will be too small and too slow which means that a new hard drive will add about $300 (ballpark value). I can deal with 40 gigs for now on the T40p since I don't really use up much space on my desktop either (17 used out of 80). T40p seems to offer a lot more (resolution, graphics card main ones) but I was wondering if the thinkpad protection can be added to clearance items. I could be wrong but from what I understood from the website is that to add thinkpad protection to a model with 3 year warranty is $150 (250 for onsite).

Since I dont really know all the differences between T40 and T41 (I think the airbag protection is not available in the T40) I would appreciate any help. I don't have to get 1 of these 2. This is just whatt caught my eye right now. I would like a laptop by the beginning of the school year so if anyone thinks that a better deal might come my way I can wait. My original cutoff would have been 3000 but if this T40p is worth it I might spend the extra money.

Thanks to everyone who replies.

[admsteiner]

What is the exchange rate between candian and USD? I'd say go for the 41, or better yet, a 42.

--Adam

[VC15]

Here are the prices in $US

t40p 2497.53
t41 2183.08

With such a small price difference compared to what you get in each laptop why do you still reccomend the T41 (build better?).

[iansir]

The 14" 1400x1050 screen would be nicer (in my opinion) for coding since you have a larger workspace.

[atlacatl]

Either one if fine I think. Some have even suggested to go for a t42 - I would consider that option. Also, I would suggest to try Bill first. With the exchange rate, you may end saving a few hundreds of dollars. Also the warranty is valid all over north america, so no worries there.

I have the exact same model you are thinking of: the T40p. It's a great machine. I'm also a developer and find the resolution of the screen just right. I did upgrade the hard drive to a 60 GB @ 7200 rpms. This is one of the best upgrades ever, in terms of speed and space. I found that 40 GB drive fills up quite fast. All and all, I have around 20 GB of operating stuff: office, a while bunch of IDE, database servers, etc, etc. If you are thinking in the double boot, perhaps you need a bigger hard drive...It fills up very fast...I only have around 20 GB free in my 60...

The 9 cell battery makes the computer a bit heavier, but, well worth the 7+ hours of battery life. I did buy and extra 6 cell, just because it makes the computer nicer to look at and it's easy on the arm when walking around with the screen open. Other than that, the machine is great.

Even though I have the T40p, I'd say contact Bill to price you a t42...

Good luck...

[VC15]

Thanx to all for replying. I will most likely contact Bill and check out what he has to offer.

Also, how long should I wait before I make my decision (right before school year, a little bit into the school year...) to get the best prices from IBM? I'm not sure when they have their best sales since I just started shopping around for a laptop.

Thanx.